Details
Delphinus delphis
Short-beaked common dolphin is a fast offshore dolphin with a bright hourglass pattern along the flanks. Bycatch and regional prey changes are major concerns.
Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)
It ranges widely through temperate and tropical offshore waters and outer coasts, often moving in schools. Main habitat types in this guide are ocean, coast.
Typical length 160-240 cm, weight 70 kg-110 kg. A slender body, short beak, yellow-gray hourglass flank pattern, and sharp dorsal fin are typical.
It is active in repeated bouts across day and night and a social species. Large schools bow-ride, leap repeatedly, and coordinate rapid movements around prey.
It is carnivorous. Small fish and squid are pursued cooperatively in schools.
Females bear single calves that swim close beside the mother.
Although still widespread in places, it remains sensitive to habitat change. Bycatch and regional prey changes are major concerns.
